This is a discussion on Digital camera buying advice... within the Member Show-Off & Photography forums, part of the Community - Meet other Enthusiasts category; I'm looking for a digi camera in the range of 0-0. I personally have a Nikon D80 so I'm not ...

Digital camera buying advice...

I'm looking for a digi camera in the range of $300-$400. I personally have a Nikon D80 so I'm not in need of a DSLR, just a good portable point and shoot for the girlfriend so she'll have something to use instead of continually telling me what I should shoot.

Ideally I'm lookin' for something in the 8 megapixel range with at least some manual control so I can teach her to move away from using auto functions as she gets more comfortable. It's between Nikon's coolpix line and the Canon powershot line at this point. Any recommendations on a model, or even comments on other brands?

I've used the links Weasel555 has stickied but I'm really having trouble finding an easy way to find cameras that meet my criteria. Anyone know anywhere there might be a digi camera checklist/search I can run down to find out what my options are?

Buy the cheapest Canon with the manual controls you want regardless of pixel resolution and call it a day. For other brands look into Ricoh and Pana(Leica)sonic.

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

Another thing to consider is size and practicality. I now only consider small cameras. I don't have sherpas to carry around a Hasselblad kit so if it doesn't fit into a pocket well or cannot hang around my neck without becoming tiresome they're not getting my money. The smallest, lightest camera with the features you want wins IMO; otherwise, you'll end up leaving it home rather than using it to shoot photos.

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

Another thing to consider is size and practicality. I now only consider small cameras. I don't have sherpas to carry around a Hasselblad kit so if it doesn't fit into a pocket well or cannot hang around my neck without becoming tiresome they're not getting my money. The smallest, lightest camera with the features you want wins IMO; otherwise, you'll end up leaving it home rather than using it to shoot photos.

+7,689,654
This is my starting criteria for camera shopping. If it's at home it doesn't do you any good! In terms of megapixels, I've used 2,4,6,8,and 10 and you definitely notice the difference up until 6. There's no need to go to 8 unless you're going to be blowing up photos to full page size or larger. It's impossible to see the difference between even 4 and 6 in a standard size photo.

Another thing to consider is size and practicality. I now only consider small cameras. I don't have sherpas to carry around a Hasselblad kit so if it doesn't fit into a pocket well or cannot hang around my neck without becoming tiresome they're not getting my money. The smallest, lightest camera with the features you want wins IMO; otherwise, you'll end up leaving it home rather than using it to shoot photos.

I'm with ya on that. Something small and with the features I need. It's not going to be for me, although it will be pretty convenient to have a more portable camera with manual features so I can use it when I don't feel like lugging around the D80.

It takes decent shots, has a b+w mode, a semi-manual exposure mode, in camera editing, etc. Just doesn't have an EVF, so all shots have to be composed with the screen on back. We were also looking at this offering from canon, looks to have more features, but it would've been too difficult for point and shooting that my fiancee desires

every time anyone asks to drive my car - even valets I say "no". when they say "what's the big deal?" I say "would you let someone wear your underwear? would you let someone have sex with your girlfriend? ....same thing."

I just purchased a Canon PowerShot A720 IS. It's under $200, 8mp, 6x optical zoom, image stabilization, has manual settings, it's as compact as I need it to be, and it's afforded me the ability to also get a nice case, a set of rechargable Ni-MH batteries, and a 1 GB memory card. The only consistent cons I've heard about it are long flash recycle time and a little noisy past 800 ISO. I can live with that.

That should be plenty for the lady's valentines day present. She'll never notice the flash recycle time and won't be shooting a lot above 800 ISO. She's a beginner at photography so it's the perfect platform to start IMO. It'll fit in her purse and I'll be able to show her how to get into manual photography eventually... and she can stop tellin' me what to take pictures of.

I'll eventually be able to get ahold of it and try it for myself, so I'll try to post up a review and some pix once the new car smell has worn off. As a Nikon fanboy, I just have to see what Canon's got.

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